iPad Best way to text and FaceTime from Wi-fi iPad?

[bcemail]

I'm getting my kids iPads for Christmas (regular iPad, newest edition), and want to make sure they are set up to text and FaceTime with them. Do they have to have an Apple ID? I have found guides about adding an email address to Send/Receive, but some make it seem like you can only use an Apple ID email address. Can they use their school email? I wasn't sure if this would also push the texts to their email inboxes?
Also, is it still the case that they will need a third party app to text non-Apple devices?
Thanks!

 

[akash.nu]

Do not use any organisational emails as Apple ID on any device meant to be for personal use. Apple ID is forever and anything bought against those can’t be changed over to any other ID easily. Also all iMessage is tied to that. So create separate Apple ID for each kid and put them under your family sharing option.

By text if you mean message over the internet such as iMessage / WhatsApp then yes they need to download that app. But some of these apps actually do require a functional number anyway, so unless your communication method is only via iMessage, iPad can’t be used if the apps require a functional phone number.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Also, is it still the case that they will need a third party app to text non-Apple devices?

Yes, a third party app will be required.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I can text non-Apple devices (Android phones) with the stock iMessage app on my iPad Pro.

 

[yass31]

I can text non-Apple devices (Android phones) with the stock iMessage app on my iPad Pro.

Because your phone number (+iPhone) is linked to iMessage, so when you send a text message to non-Apple devices it goes through your iPhone before being sent

 

[McScooby]

Do not use any organisational emails as Apple ID on any device meant to be for personal use. Apple ID is forever and anything bought against those can’t be changed over to any other ID easily. Also all iMessage is tied to that. So create separate Apple ID for each kid and put them under your family sharing option.

By text if you mean message over the internet such as iMessage / WhatsApp then yes they need to download that app. But some of these apps actually do require a functional number anyway, so unless your communication method is only via iMessage, iPad can’t be used if the apps require a functional phone number.

WhatsApp doesn't have an iPad app. Something to do with co-existing on 2 devices at a time, although they do have the mac app (but that's tethered to the iPhone app)
The only option for WhatsApp is having a home screen link to their webpage, but only works for messaging on the pad, no audio/video here.

 

[akash.nu]

WhatsApp doesn't have an iPad app. Something to do with co-existing on 2 devices at a time, although they do have the mac app (but that's tethered to the iPhone app)
The only option for WhatsApp is having a home screen link to their webpage, but only works for messaging on the pad, no audio/video here.

Exactly, so any messaging platform that requires a physical number to be connected can not be used for this purpose.

 

[McScooby]

Exactly, so any messaging platform that requires a physical number to be connected can not be used for this purpose.

By text if you mean message over the internet such as iMessage / WhatsApp then yes they need to download that app.

Yeah, but you'd said just d/l the app. I'm just pointing out there isn't one, I've said how to get round it and the limitation on WhatsApp, there ain't no 'exactly' about what you said.
Facetime/iMessage is included in iOS & Messenger/others etc. don't require tel numbers.

 

[ericwn]

OP you should also check out Apple’s instructions on setting up IDs for your children and read up on Apple’s family sharing options too to make sure you only pay once fir things like apps.

 

[akash.nu]

Yeah, but you'd said just d/l the app. I'm just pointing out there isn't one, I've said how to get round it and the limitation on WhatsApp, there ain't no 'exactly' about what you said.
Facetime/iMessage is included in iOS & Messenger/others etc. don't require tel numbers.

Ah yeah I meant there were other apps that doesn’t require a phone number. I think the Blackberry messaging app didn’t require one for example.

 

[bcemail]

Thanks for all the help! Got busy this week so forgot to check back. So it sounds like the best option is to get them an Apple ID. Akash, when you say "Do not use any organisational emails" you mean like Gmail or Yahoo, right? (Had not heard that term before).
I will also read whatever Apple has about kids and family accounts, thanks Erinwn!
Once they are set up, we will figure out texting non-Apple devices. Or I'll just have a talk with them about mixing with Android folks...
Thanks everyone!

 

[rui no onna]

Thanks for all the help! Got busy this week so forgot to check back. So it sounds like the best option is to get them an Apple ID. Akash, when you say "Do not use any organisational emails" you mean like Gmail or Yahoo, right? (Had not heard that term before).
I will also read whatever Apple has about kids and family accounts, thanks Erinwn!
Once they are set up, we will figure out texting non-Apple devices. Or I'll just have a talk with them about mixing with Android folks...
Thanks everyone!

Gmail and Yahoo are fine.

What we mean by no organisational email is do not use school or work email addresses as you can lose access to those when graduating, or switching to a different school or job.